Freshening up your interior’s décor and its air supply can be a 2-for-1 deal if you opt for nature’s always-in-style accessories. Here are some amazing facts about why indoor plants are a must, as well as our top 3 choices.

1. Air Fresheners

According to studies by NASA, certain houseplants act as very effective air filters – filtering out as much as 87% of indoor pollutants within just 24 hours!

2. Mood Enhancers

Indoor plants have a purifying effect on our general well-being too. In fact, studies have shown that patients who face a garden view in their hospital rooms often recover more quickly than those facing a wall.

3. Health boosters

Indoor plants have been shown to reduce cold-related illnesses by more than 30%. This is due to their effect of increasing humidity levels and decreasing dust. And according to some research studies, indoor plants may even stop your headaches, improve your mental health, decrease your blood pressure and prevent allergies in children. Furthermore, other studies have concluded that employees who work in a room with plants have a higher attention span and overall improved mood than those who are in the setting without plants.

Here are our top 3 choices for your home:

1. Jasmine

Having a plant such as Jasmine in your bedroom can actually increase your quality of sleep. This plant was specifically studied by a Dr. Bryan Raudenbush, at Wheeling Jesuit University where he and his colleagues studied the results of 20 people’s sleeping patterns when exposed to Jasmine, lavender and then unexposed to any plants at all. After 3 nights of observation they were able to conclude that those who were exposed to Jasmine slept more deeply and effectively. Gerbera daisies also give off oxygen at night. Filling a vase in your bedroom with these flowers can thus improve your night’s rest.

2. Peace Lily

Have a history of mould in your home? A peace lily could help clear out the mould from the air. Peace lilies have been known to remove the harmful chemicals trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, acetone and more. Requiring low light, this plant is easy to maintain, but is poisonous to cats and dogs (not so peaceful after all). If you are a smoker or live with one, the peace lily will also help to remove the airborne chemicals from cigarettes.

3. Variegated Snake Plant

Also going by the delightful name of ‘Mother-in-law’s tongue’, this sharp evergreen is as austere as it is easy to please (quite unlike your mother-in-law). Simply situate in partial shade and water every month or so. In return, you’ll benefit from its clean, cool aesthetic and cleaner air too.